[THREAD]
How Sino-Bhutanese border talks began...
Chinese incursions into Bhutan herders occurred in 1966, but tensions lessened thereafter. In 1979, a larger than usual annual intrusion by Tibetan herders into Bhutan brought protests to Beijing from both Thimphu & New Delhi. 1/8

China, seeking a direct approach with Bhutan, ignored the Indian protest but responded to the one from Bhutan. The members of the National Assembly in Thimphu raised their voices in favor of the establishment of direct contacts with China. 2/8

Their request was not inspired by a pro-China stand. It was merely motivated by the growing number of grazing incidents on the Sino-Bhutan border. That year (1979) intrusions were found to be on a larger scale than in former years, and the need for negotiation became urgent. 3/8

It was precisely that year that Bhutanese and Chinese leaders started to exchange annual congratulatory messages on the occasion of National Days. Although it was a formal protocol such practice symbolized a new step in Bhutan-China relations. 4/8

Thimphu did not consider that its move towards China had to be submitted to a formal authorization from New Delhi. Yet the Royal Government of Bhutan informed India. 5/8

The official announcement of Bhutan’s intention to have direct & bilateral discussions with China on border issues was made by Bhutanese foreign Minister, Lyonpo Dawa Tsering, in June 1981, after a visit to Thimphu by Indian Minister for External Affairs P.V. Narashima Rao. 6/8

The announcement was also timed before a visit to New Delhi of the Chinese Foreign Minister Huang Hua. In 1983, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian and Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dawa Tsering met at the United Nations in New York. 7/8

At the meeting in New York, Dawa Tsering and Wu Xueqian held consultations on developing bilateral relations. The first round of talks on the boundary issue was held in Beijing in April 1984. 8/8